Bringing In Butterflies And Attracting Beneficial Insects

Lacewings

These insects are about 2 centimeters long, green or brown, and have lacy, long wings. Lacewing larvae, or young, can each devour 60 aphids per hour, and also feed on leafhoppers, mites, thrips, and other small pest insects. The adults feed on flower nectar and pollen. To encourage lacewings into your garden, plant:

• Archangel (Angelica archangelica)         • Goldenrod (Solidago)

• Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii)            • Red cosmos (Cosmos)

• Campion (Lychnis)                                • Tickseed (Coreopsis)

• Common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)      • Yarrow (Achillea)

 

Ladybirds

Most ladybirds are shiny red, orange, or yellow with black markings. Each adult ladybird is about 7 millimeters long. The wrinkled larvae, or young, are orange and black. Both adults and larvae feed on aphids, mites, whiteflies, and scale insects. Ladybirds emerge in spring, just as the aphids descend, and eat hundreds of these insects a day, making them a true gardener's friend. To encourage ladybirds, plant:

• Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

• Marigold (Tagetes)

• Spindle tree (Euonymus)

• Yarrow (Achillea)

Archangel ecstasy

This tropical-looking biennial plant, sometimes called angelica, offers bright green, deeply divided leaves and fragrant greenish-white flowers in large clusters. A rapid grower, it does best in rich, damp, soil planted in partial shade. In medieval times, archangel was believed to be sent by angels. It provided a cooked vegetable for the dinner table, candied stalks for dessert, kept evil spirits from entering the body, and offered protection from the plague. Archangel (Angelica archangelica) can grow to 2.5 meters high. The seeds may self-sow for next year's garden.

Cosmos companions

Cosmos (C. bipinnatus), sometimes called Mexican aster, can be found in perennial and annual varieties. The annuals may be white, pink, lavender, crimson, or bicoloured, but it's the white cosmos that is most attractive to beneficial insects. Ranging in height from 1 to 2 meters, cosmos prefer full sun, average soil, and moderate water.